25 March 2014

OTI to represent Sky-Futures in Malaysia


On 25 March, 2014 an agreement was signed between Malaysia’s Oilfield Technical Inspection Sdn Bhd (OTI) and the UK’s Sky-Futures Partners Ltd to provide unmanned aerial vehicle services throughout Southeast Asia.

Sky-Futures’ Commercial Director James Harrison said that although they had done some works in Southeast Asia this was their first entry into the Malaysian market. He added that the company is looking to open a base in Malaysia in two years’ time.

Zamrin Mohamed Daud, Managing Director of OTI said “This is a very welcome collaboration between Malaysia and the UK which is expected to increase OTI’s inspection capabilities and increase the customer base for both companies.

Continuing Zamrin explained that this agreement, will give OTI a geographical area covering South East Asia (except Vietnam), to promote Sky-Futures, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) – small helicopters with high definition cameras – that can film the condition of platform flare stacks, underside of platforms and other hard to access infrastructure areas. This will add undoubtedly add to OTI’s inspection capabilities and give the company greater exposure to the oil and gas companies who manage many of the older platforms offshore Malaysia, etc.

For OTI it is significant as we now have an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) service capability in the region, and the service will be delivered by UK expertise via OTI. Longer term we would probably consider training and utilising local personnel in conjunction with Sky-Futures. Sky-Futures recently completed 5 inspections in the Gulf of Thailand and already have enquires in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Asked how this came about Zamrin said that OTI had attended – under the MATRADE stand – offshore Europe, Aberdeen last September and we met with Sky-Futures and explored the concept of us representing their services in South East Asia and James Harrison from Sky-Futures came out from UK to develop these initial thoughts further.

James Harrison added that Sky-Futures are working with some of the largest O&G companies in the UK, Middle East, Africa and Norway. Companies include; Talisman Sinopec Energy, PetroVietnam, BG Group, TAQA. Sky-Futures recently won a 5 year contract for TAQA in the UK North Sea to provide all their general visual inspections (GVI) and he felt that OTI will leverage their contacts in South-East Asia and the Sky-Futures credentials and recent work to form a powerful sales channel.

Zamrin said his company “are committed to working with local partners and introducing new technology and skills. OTI have a strong track record of innovation and delivery, and will be well placed to jointly deliver the UAV service in the future alongside Sky-Futures

James of Sky-Futures continued “the UAVs have HD video and Thermal cameras. The service provides general visual and close visual inspections of hard to access on and offshore areas such as:

  • Live flare tips
  • Topside, including booms, telecommunication masts, exhausts
  • Underdeck including splash zones, legs, under hull / underdeck

The reports are compiled by a world leading flare systems expert and structural engineers. The reporting has been praised as being ‘technically excellent’ by an O&G Supermajor.